AS the winter gloom continues across the state Bendigo police are warning motorists to switch on their headlights or face hefty fines and a loss of demerit points.Leading Senior Constable Kevyn Hume-Cook of the Bendigo traffic management unit said not only was failing to use headlights at night or during hazardous conditions an offence, it could cause a serious collision, particularly on county roads.“A lot of people do the right thing and drive that bit slower when it’s foggy, but that can make other motorists behind them impatient and often they overtake,’’ he said.“If people don’t have their headlights on it makes it very hard for motorists to see oncoming traffic and the potential for an accident increases.’’Earlier this week a motorist was lucky to escape a serious collision after he attempted to overtake a truck on the Northern Highway near Echuca.The driver of the truck didn’t see the vehicle alongside him and pulled out into the left lane almost hitting the car.“He was lucky he wasn’t forced off the road and into a tree,’’ Leading Senior Constable Hume-Cook said.“A lot of people think ‘if I can see them then they can see me’ but they don’t realise the visibility for them is reduced if they don’t have their headlights on.’’Driving without headlights in foggy or hazardous conditions carries a fine of up to $179 and one demerit point.